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One night with the wrong woman can change your life….

Jack Simon’s road to the White House has been a smooth one until a night with the notorious Donovan James becomes a roadblock he can’t escape. Suddenly he’s America’s number one story and it has nothing to do with politics. Jack’s tangled with this woman before and knows they’re no good together because the only thing they're good for is a four letter word…hurt. He should get on with his life and concentrate on his job. But that’s hard to do when the one thing standing in his way, is the one thing he wants the most…

Donovan James, international singing sensation, has made a living singing songs about heartache and pain, two things she grew up on. But it’s time to set down some roots and the only man she wants is a man she’s all wrong for. A man she’s never stopped loving—Jack Simon. They’d had it all once, until they didn’t. And yet she can’t help but wonder if a second shot together just might be the game changer she needs. Or if old secrets can still ruin the only man she’s ever loved…

275 pages, ebook

First published August 25, 2014

78 people are currently reading
763 people want to read

About the author

Juliana Stone

70 books1,292 followers
Juliana Stone is also known as J.A. Stone.

USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.

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5 stars
577 (36%)
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650 (41%)
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278 (17%)
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62 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
October 20, 2020
Scandal is the last thing senatorial candidate Jack Simon needs. But when Donovan James is around that seems to be all there is. Donovan is the only woman that has ever gotten close to Jack but she walked away 5 years ago and he has no plans to let her back in now.

This latest installment in the Simon Family series is incredible! It deals with past hurts and secrets and incredible betrayals. This is one I highly recommend to everyone.
Profile Image for Van.
799 reviews35 followers
March 5, 2023
I'm sorry but I'm not gonna continue reading the series, it's not for me,

He is too cruel for my taste, she's too doormat because she feels guilty...
Some parts reminds me at Walking through fire by KA: the cruelty, no grovel, no sorries, the tattoo thing ( but in this book H is not even sorry...), it was too much for me,

Not very romantic
Really cruel Hero, not asshole, just cruel
No grovel no party
The rape situation is just mentioned in twoo lines, like nothing had happened,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather.
739 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2014
I love this family. I am glad that I know Jack's story and it answered all of my questions.

Jack has been mad at Donovan since she left him with a letter but you can tell he still has feelings for her. Thankfully they get thrown together and that leads to a really good story. :-)

Read it up, people! You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,034 reviews59 followers
September 27, 2014
This book was such a disappointment. Jack was such an asshole and said such horrible things to Donovan for the majority of the book that even in the end he didn't redeem himself enough for me.

Donovan was such a sweet character. She was the only reason I actually finished this book.
Profile Image for Tori.
2,844 reviews474 followers
September 25, 2014
Favorite Quote: “She’s the first thing I think about when I wake up. The last thing on my mind before I sleep.”

Jack Simon and Donovan James were a couple in love until they day they had a nasty argument and Donovan disappeared, leaving Jack with only a note and a broken heart. Though Jack tried to get to the bottom of Donovan’s defection, she froze him out and Jack had no other option but to go on with his life.

Five years later, Jack is shocked to see Donovan at his political fundraiser. Shocked and angry. He has never forgiven her for leaving him and lashes out at her in pain and anger. Feeling out of sorts after their confrontation, Jack decides he needs a vacation and his sister Grace offers him her trip to Belize. Jack arrives only to discover Grace has been meddling and Donovan is also on the island and staying in the same house. Jack and Donovan circle one another, wary combatants whose chemistry is still strong but the gulf between them seems almost too far to bridge. When one night together raises cause for concern, Jack essentially blackmails Donovan into staying with him until they can be sure nothing arises from it. As Jack and Donovan begin to reconnect, Jack’s protective instincts and love for her roar back to the surface and he is determined to find out why she left him once and for all.

Jack is the second installment in Juliana Stone’s The Family Simon series. A mid-weight romance contemporary that speaks of love, loss, betrayal, and second chances. Heavily character driven, Stone pens an emotional story that addresses the trials and tribulations that one suffers when in the spotlight. A steady pacing and a well developed storyline takes it’s time to allow us to understand what is at stake here. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding and your heart hurts when you find out exactly what happened that night. It’s emotionally rocky as Jack and Donovan struggle with wanting to reconnect and wanting to run from one another.

Read the rest of my review at Smexy Books.
Profile Image for Joy (joyous reads).
1,564 reviews291 followers
July 13, 2016
If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of in romance books (plot-wise), it is the forbidden element of a politician and a character with a shady past. This book featured a Democrat senator well on his way to a presidential nomination and a country singer who may or may not be involved in a scandal that will prove disastrous for Jack Simon. And because she loves him dearly, she’ll do anything to prevent that from coming out.

SHARED PAST

Jack Simon and Donovan James has had a tumultuous, albeit, brief past together. Their fights were epic, but the making up was just as explosive. Jack never figured out why Donovan just up and left him years ago. Because of that, he’s considered Donovan as an unfinished business, and someone he hated and loved in the same breath.

ISLAND FOR TWO

When Jack’s sister conspired to leave them stranded in an island in Belize, they have no choice but to face the the past that have haunted them for years. Or at least, confront their feelings for each other. Either way, Jack is determined to get the answers that Donovan hid from him. Because then maybe, just maybe he’ll finally be able to move on after all these years.

FAVOURITE SIMON

If I had to choose, I have to say that Jack is my favourite Simon. I may have a thing for politicians (has to have a Liberal platform, though). I love the palpable chemistry between him and Donovan. They both knew they were one fight away from a romp in the bedroom so they’ll try to get into each other’s nerves. They just can’t help themselves.

There were times though, when I want to strangle Jack. He could be an unbearable ass, and poor Donovan – a feisty character herself – couldn’t really tell him what she was hiding at first. Which was frustrating at times. I was a little disappointed with how little grovelling Jack did at the end though. I wanted him to suffer just a bit more than he deserves.

I’m really glad I re-discovered Juliana Stone’s Simon Family series. Nowadays, I’m always on the look out for easy, fun reads. The type that makes me feel more than it makes me think. Her books are the perfect prescription if you’re in need of a reprieve from back-breaking reads.
Profile Image for belle ☆ミ (thisbellereadstoo).
2,587 reviews176 followers
March 31, 2020
donovan james is hilarious as heck, and sassy as hell. i loved her personality, it radiates so brightly and through her wit. something happened in the past that made her leave jack simon, her one true love, years ago. jack was shattered. time may have healed a little but donovan james has always been a part of him he never forgets. this has the second chance love trope and i absolutely enjoyed it.

i would have liked to know jack as a politician more. i felt that that side of him isn’t really fleshed out. nonetheless, knowing him as just jack himself showed a more vulnerable and emotional side which i liked. he’s really sweet once the readers got to know him. the end where fell a little short because of how it was resolved. i would like to know if she’s okay or not. other than that, i enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Marisela M. Chavez.
1,393 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2018
Wow! What a rollercoaster ride for Jack and Donovan. I just loved everything about them. I was rooting for them and wanting everything to workout. I knew there was more to it about the past I was glad to know they were to work everything out. Those Simon's boys are something.
Profile Image for Beverley Kendall.
Author 38 books994 followers
September 23, 2014
Originally posted on Smitten by Books.

Readers are first introduced to Jack Simon in Tucker (which you can currently download free), the first book in Juliana Stone’s The Family Simon series. He’s the eldest of the Simon brothers and the one everyone believes is destined for the White House.

Jack is an easy hero to fall for. He’s definitely got the brooding thing down—and I do adore a brooding hero. But when readers are first introduced to him at the beginning of the book, his ill-temper has Donovan James written all over it. She’s the one who got away. She’s also the only woman to break his heart.

I love a couple with a history. And the worse the history—the worse the breakup—the better I like it. Jack and Donovan’s past goes back five years and ended with her upping and leaving him. Jack, of course, has never gotten over her and the last thing he wants or needs is to have her back in his life. Not even in the vicinity of it. At his fundraiser is definitely too close for comfort. She’s beautiful and he’s still very attracted to her. That the first scene between them closed without any major fireworks was a miracle. The spark it lit though, sets the tension for the rest of the book.

Donovan James is a big-time country singer from Arkansas with a real southern drawl with trailer-park roots. She could easily have been one of those heroines I thoroughly dislike. A lot of big talk and a heaping ton of bravado. But it’s her vulnerability that won me over. The minute I was in her POV, I could feel her pain. She’s still in love with Jack and lives under the black cloud of how she betrayed him…and how she left him.

Then they both end up on Belize together. Sparks fly, passions flare. You can imagine how that goes, right? Their time in Belize truly sets the fire burning between them sky high. They both try not to give in, and I absolutely admired their strength of will. But that’s the great thing about the building of sexual tension, knowing no matter how hard they try, that they will fail in fantastic style.

“If Donovan was an actress, she’d be up for an Oscar because she’d just given the performance of a lifetime. Hell, Julia Roberts had nothing on her.

She’d let Jack put his hands on her. PUT HIS HANDS ON HER. And she hadn’t given anything way.”




The way I see it, the biggest problem with their relationship is there’s just way too many people involved. Too many people telling Jack what’s best for his political career and telling Donovan she’s definitely not it. This and their bad breakup create a boatload of trust issues between them. And they can both be pretty stubborn. But in all fairness to them, the bad guy in all this was pretty darn bad.

The wonderful thing about this story is it gets better with every turn of the page, and with every scene. And despite the fact that I knew what’s coming, I was still sitting on the edge of the seat for the sh*t to hit the fan. And when it did eventually hit, I find out I didn’t know everything I thought I did. I won’t say any more than that or I’ll be giving too much of the plot away.

All in all, Jack is a sexy, emotional, tug-at-your-heartstrings kind of book. If you love those, Jack is exactly the type of book you need to pick up.

Reviewed by Beverley
Heat Level: Hot
Profile Image for Chris Bails.
313 reviews26 followers
August 26, 2014
This is another awesome book by Julianna Stone. Every book I read by her makes me fall in love with her writing even more. This is the 2nd book of this series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I feel should be read in order, it helps you understand the other characters.

This is the story of Jack. He is running for Senator. He is at his fundraiser and sees his ex across the room and is very upset that she is there. They broke up on bad terms, but he still cares for her. They are like oil & vinegar together, but their chemisty has hot. Jack needs a little break from everything and decides to head off to Belize for a little vacation, but does not get the vacation he is planning for. He finds someone else in the home he is supposed to be staying at.

Donovan is the country singer he is loved by her fans and hounded by the paparazzi. She is asked by Jack's sister to sing at the fundraiser, but know that she has made a mistake when she sees the look on Jack's face. The paparazzi love a good story and loves to make up dirt on Donovan, she decides to take a little vacation and write some music. But she is invaded by Jack and neither are happy about the situation. They decide to make the best of it and try to ignore each other.

This was such a great story. I love the characters. I loved Donovan & Jack. I loved the other secondary characters and several scenes made me cry and when you read it you will understand why. I can't wait for Maverick's story and really can't wait to read more Barker triplets stories and Matt's story.
Profile Image for Erica.
1,311 reviews32 followers
August 20, 2014
I give Jack 4 stars.

I did not read book one in this series but it's not necessary in order to follow book 2.
Jack is on the political track. The golden boy of the family who's destined for great things.

Donovan's job is singing to crowded stadiums. She grew up poor in a trailer park until her mother realized her talent for singing and got her started at county fairs.

Donovan is Jack's ex. Five years ago she left him via a note.
Seeing her again is not what he expected, she's the last person he wants to be near. She left without explanation and never looked back.
Or so he thinks.
Circumstances bring them back together and over the course of time secrets come to light. The past comes back to haunt Donovan and Jack is faced with a tough decision. Or maybe not.
I don't do spoilers, but if you haven't met the Simon family give this a read, Jack & Donovan's story is full of emotion and strength and very well written.
Profile Image for Blue.
1,646 reviews24 followers
September 3, 2016
2.5 rounded up to 3 because I really like her writing style, it's the story line that loses points for me. A simple second chance love story, which I enjoyed all the way to the end which finished WAY too conveniently and quickly [and cheesy] for me to really get on board with.

Not sure if I'll continue with this series. Will be continuing the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series which I've already read book 1 of and enjoyed also, might be more to my liking.
Profile Image for Angel.
216 reviews15 followers
September 6, 2014
Loved Jack and Donovan together. It was pretty emotional and I did cry once or twice but it had some humorous moments. Even though Jack was pretty much an ass most of the time. He was endearing and totally lovable. Can't read about more of the Simon boys.
Profile Image for Marissa Chavez.
1,374 reviews4 followers
March 22, 2017
Oh what can I say about Jack? He's a bad boy you love to hate. Donvann is a country girl that everyone loves. Both of them together they bring out the best and worst out of each other. I loved reading about their love story! So good!
Profile Image for Kathy.
1,506 reviews13 followers
July 29, 2021
A little disappointed in this one. Jack and Donovan have a history, which is alluded to in Tucker, book one of this family series. From what is told in this book, their breakup was legendary as Jack is an upcoming star politician with a shot at a senate seat and Donovan aka Donnie is a twangy county singer from the Ozarks and someone in Jacks’ inner circle wasn’t happy with them as a couple.
Fast forward five years and Jack is looking for the answers for why she left him. It is more sinister than just not being good enough but this is where the book failed for me.
Other than the fact there’s an HEA I didn’t feel like much was resolved. Jack’s two cousins have sway in this story.
Rick is Donovan’s writing partner and confidant and Rick’s brother Cooper is holding all the answers to Jacks questions but doesn’t really look at what was in his possession and with five years gone by, this could have and should been resolved sooner, especially after Donovan finds out what Cooper has. To me not everything had a resolution. The villain and the resulting consequences, if any, to Jack’s career.
Side note: A good amount of the book surrounded Jack’s neighbors in Canada with heartbreaking results. At first I didn’t know why this storyline was so important and IMO the only real emotional part of the story but reading the synopsis for a book down the line, it became clearer.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,487 reviews16 followers
December 19, 2018
Scandal and second chances. This book is full of them.

Jack and Donovan had a tumultuous relationship five years ago but then she left him with nothing more than a note. When they enter each other's lives again, their chemistry is still off the charts and their relationship is no more a good idea than it was before.

I had a hard time with Jack. I knew that he was hurt by the events of their relationship but I felt like he could have expressed his hurt in a better way. I liked Donovan but I felt like she, like Jack, could have gone about their relationship in such a better way. I did like these two characters and when they were together, I loved them as a couple. The twist in their story broke my heart and has me dying to start Maverick's story to see if there's more to the twists this family has experienced.
Profile Image for Shaly.
1,198 reviews
April 14, 2018
3.5 Stars

This was marginally better than book one, though for the life of me I just don't understand why females like Donovan always make a perfectly salvageable situation so much fucking worse? Why let someone so insignificant ruin what could have been a beautiful relationship and subsequently marriage. Though things ended on that note anyway which just means Donovan and Jack were just meant to be, all of that could have been avoided had she manned up and told him what happened. It was obvious that Derek did something wrong, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and call people's bluff...stupid woman.
310 reviews
February 11, 2018
Jack Simon is a politician (but we don't get much of that) so he is careful of his public image. 5 years ago, Donovan James left him a note/breaking up with him and pursued her country music career. Now she is a big time star and runs into Jack. They are not on good terms but one hot night in Belize brings them back together again. But then she leaves again with only a note...

Donovan is not a nice person to Jack and vice versa, they both say awful things to each other the whole book.
This book was a little better than the first but still isn't doing it for me.
Profile Image for Tina.
960 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2018
Ok so again I wasn’t sure what to expect, Jack’s the pretty boy running for senator, Donovan is the singer from Arkansas, they are very different but that fits, although will the past come back to haunt them both? Or will the truth finally be told?
Well I loved this story, great plot, characters, the writing is ok, some errors but nothing drastic. I really enjoyed the idea of this story, lots of angst, some sweet moments, some teary moments, some sex, nothing crude. HEA ❤️ ,overall I’d recommend.
Profile Image for Sharon Rudolph.
2,136 reviews
July 21, 2017
This book was good. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

The only problem I had with this book is there are some serious editing problems. There were quite a few chapters that would start with one letter on the page and the rest of the word on the next page. My biggest issue was that many times when Jack was talking about his brother Tucker, he referred to him as cousin. This author needs better proof readers and a new editor! These issues were not just isolated to this book.
1,495 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2020
Story was okay, but the 2 main characters were not consistent throughout the story. I had a little more patience for Jack, but found him unbelievable as a politician. I did like the sub plots building in this story and look forward to future books in this series. I’m hanging in there since I really did like the 1st book in this series.
Profile Image for Christine Jalili.
2,188 reviews44 followers
March 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in a day. Why did Donovan leave Jack? What went wrong? They end up at a resort and they still have such chemistry. Can he trust her to not leave again? I actually cried at what happened to her and was so glad they finally got their happy ever after. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Cheryl Hitchcock.
4 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2018
Like all the other Simon books, it keep my attention way too much. I love the happy endings in these books! Reading about the couple's misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions is pretty interesting too.
74 reviews
June 1, 2021
HOT🔥❤❤

I knew JACK'S story was going to be good. I've never cried so much and been more ecstatic too see two beautiful souls be together❤❤ You've all gotta read about the SIMON BROTHERS AND COUSINS❤❤ I promise you will fall in love with them all💖
Profile Image for Sherri Romero.
234 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2021
Hit or Miss?

A miss for me. The adversarial relationship of these two made no connection for me. And the big scandal at the end, no discussion, left very vague, extremely unsatisfying. Won't go any further with thisseries
Profile Image for Claudia Reinbrecht.
1,481 reviews
September 6, 2017
The reveal at the end was kind of disappointing and felt kind of rushed/glossed over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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